HRC contributed to Liz Mathis’ victory by placing five full-time field organizers in the 18th Senate District during the final weeks of the campaign. These organizers performed campaign duties for the state Democratic Party in addition to mobilizing HRC members and supporters to volunteer and vote in the special election.

“The marriage issue is settled, voters clearly care about issues directly affecting their everyday lives,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Today’s election serves as a message that it’s time to get on with the people’s business.”

Earlier this year the Iowa House passed a bill to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment abolishing marriage equality. The Democratic-controlled Senate blocked the bill from coming up in the state Senate, keeping marriage equality safe in the Hawkeye state.

Also making history tonight, Virginia state Representative Adam Ebbin will become Virginia’s first openly-gay state Senator after winning his bid for the Commonwealth’s 30th Senate District.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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To contact HRC please visit our contact us page. If you are a member of the media, you can reach our press office at: (202) 772-3889 or email press@hrc.org.

Top 5 Things to Know About LGBT Issues

There are roughly 9 million LGBT people in the US and more than 650,000 same-sex couples.

19% of same-sex couples are raising children according to the US Census Bureau's 2011 American Community Survey.

There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; there are no state laws in 29 states that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 32 states that do so based on gender identity.